There's a trail out of the city and into the mountains and within a short space of time you can be in the wilderness. I planned a route using different trails that intersected so I could do a loop over two days and see a little more before I had a rendezvous in a few days' time. I covered around 15km passing through the forest and out into the open expanses when I lost the trail. The plane was so vast that I couldn't see any trail markings and only a rough idea of the direction. I knew my approximate location and I pulled out my compass and topographic map. Using the surrounding two peaks and river as reference points I soon found my way.
The light was beginning to fade and now at 2600m the temperature had dropped to 2°C; it was September time and from walking the Camino I was travelling light only carrying summer clothes. As it began to snow I wrapped the cotton sheet (that normally provides me with shade) around my face to stop the wind-chill and wore socks on my hands as they were becoming increasingly stiff and painful; the relief was almost instant. I knew that I had to find shelter quickly out of the wind and that the temperature would only drop further below zero. I could smell smoke which meant people, warmth and hopefully shelter. After each heavy footstep I came closer and closer until I found a hiker’s refuge. Inside I met Andrea and Alejandra, huddled around a fire. They were traversing the Pyrenees to visit family in the south of France. Next to the refuge was a wood store, log splitter and sledge hammer, things were dramatically improving. I split a half dozen logs to last us through the evening and built a majestic fire with Andrea and Alejandra's beautiful creation. In the warmth, out of the wind and with fantastic company I couldn't believe how lucky I was. It was truly a spectacular day.